Mets notes: Dominic Smith the future at first base

As the current first base situation remains hazy, the first baseman of the future made his Grapefruit League debut Saturday.

Dominic Smith, the 2013 first-round pick, singled in his first spring training at-bat as the Mets tied the Twins, 3-3. The Mets drafted Smith with the 11th overall pick.

"Really learned a couple things from the coaches and the players," Smith said. "It was just a good experience. It makes me want to work harder to get on this side."

Smith played in a minor league game before joining the team at Tradition Field. He entered in the sixth inning and registered a single in the eighth.

The men currently battling for first base continued to take steps toward returning as Lucas Duda (hamstring) and Ike Davis (calves) took minor league at-bats for the second straight day. Davis also intensified his running program.

Manager Terry Collins told reporters in Las Vegas the hope is for Duda to return to action Monday or Tuesday.

Duda went 1-for-6, lacing a double into right-center field. Davis was 0-for-4 for two walks. Both did some light running with the trainers afterward.

Davis has not played since March 2, while Duda has been out since March 3.

"If it keeps going the way it is, I wouldn’t mind playing sometime soon," Davis said. "You never know. Sometimes you have setbacks. I haven’t had one yet. It’s good."

Dillon Gee wasn’t efficient, but threw three-plus scoreless innings against the Twins. He tossed 63 pitches in his third start of spring training. In Las Vegas, starter Bartolo Colon made his second start and yielded four runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Mets beat the Cubs, 9-4.